(vāl) noun & v.t. Obs.
Veil.

(vāl) Obs. v.i.
To be of use; avail.
—noun
1. Usually plural A gratuity or tip; a perquisite, often corrupt.
2. A windfall; find.
3. Advantage; proceeds; profit. ♦ Homophones: vale, veil. [Aphetic var. of AVAIL]
—vail′a·ble adjective

(vāl) v.t. Archaic
1. To let fall; lower, as the topsail, in salute or submission.
2. To take off (the hat, etc.) in respect or submission. ♦ Homophones: vale, veil. [Aphetic form of obs. avale <F avaler lower <à val down <L ad vallem, lit., to the valley]